The word Lottery refers to a method of raising funds for public charitable purposes by selling tickets to participants who have a chance to win prizes based on the results of a drawing. The term has also been used to refer to any scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance. Lotteries are commonly conducted in the form of a drawing for prizes, but may also be held by governments or private enterprises for other purposes, including the selection of employees and students. In the latter case, the winnings are usually earmarked for specific projects or purposes.
People spend loads of money to play the lottery and often hope for a big jackpot. They dream about tossing off the burden of a day job, buying new homes and cars, or simply escaping into a life of leisure with an unrestrained sense of freedom. But the odds of winning are long, and most bettors lose far more than they win.
State-run lotteries are often controversial. Once established, they are often characterized by a highly specific set of constituencies that develop to promote and protect the interests of the operation, such as convenience store operators (from whose sales lottery revenues are derived); suppliers of equipment (who donate heavily to state political campaigns); teachers (in states where a percentage of revenue is earmarked for education) and state legislators (who are quick to become dependent on the income).
Most state-run lotteries began with legislation establishing a monopoly for the government and a state agency or public corporation to run the operation (as opposed to licensing private firms in return for a portion of profits). They usually begin operations with a modest number of relatively simple games, but face constant pressure to increase revenues by introducing more sophisticated or elaborate offerings. This expansion has generally been successful, but the resulting competition among games tends to result in a long period of “boredom” that is overcome only by the introduction of ever more enticing offers.
The debates surrounding Lottery often focus on the broader issue of whether this is a legitimate function of the state, particularly given its promotion of gambling and its alleged adverse impacts on low-income groups or problem gamblers. However, the ongoing evolution of the lottery is a classic example of public policy being made piecemeal and incrementally, with general welfare considerations taken into account only intermittently, if at all. For this reason, few states have a comprehensive “lottery policy.” Instead, the various lotteries evolve in largely self-serving directions. In the process, they become at cross-purposes with the larger public interest. Consequently, it is hard to find anyone who thinks there is anything wrong with playing the lottery. But the facts are that it is a risky and expensive way to raise funds. Its three primary shortcomings are as follows:
